Capitol Hill sources have informed NRA that a draft proposal on
gun show restrictions is being circulated by members of the House-Senate
conference committee working on the juvenile justice reform legislation.
Unfortunately, the language poses some concerns for NRA and law-abiding
gun owners. Where the Dingell amendment set a maximum time limit of 24
hours for any checks delayed by the National Instant Check System (NICS),
the draft proposal creates the potential for codifying an extended
three-day waiting period, rather than an instant check. While the draft
language limits the time period for resolving most delayed background
checks at gun shows to 24 hours, it allows for exemptions in certain
cases. Unfortunately, the FBI is using databases which contain data, such
as arrest records without records of final dispositions, which are
irrelevant to the purposes of NICS. Only convictions, not arrests, are
disqualifiers for gun ownership. Additionally, contrary to its own NICS
regulations, the FBI has accepted flawed state data which are not useful
in determining eligibility of firearms purchasers. In order to accommodate
the problems created by this data, the FBI administratively created an
option to "delay" checks which would have been clearly approved or denied
if the system had been constructed as originally intended. It is critical
that you continue to call the conference committee members considering the
juvenile justice legislation, as well as both your U.S. Senators and your
U.S. Representative, to ensure that no anti-gun language is included in
the conference committee's final "compromise" legislation. You can call
your two Senators at (202) 224-3121 and your Representative at (202)
225-3121. For contact information on conference committee members, call
ILA Grassroots at (800) 392-8683.

ELECTION ALERT

General elections are this Tuesday, November 2, in Kentucky, Mississippi,
New Jersey and Virginia. NRA members in these states should have already
received a copy of the NRA-PVF Political Preference Chart (PPC), which was
either included in the November/December issue of their NRA magazines, or
mailed to you separately. It is not only critical that you vote, as your
vote is your voice, but, if possible, contact the campaigns of pro-gun
candidates this weekend so that you can help with the final push to get
those candidates elected or re-elected. Also, encourage your family,
friends, and fellow gun owners to vote, and let them know which candidates
support the Second Amendment. If you are an NRA member in one of these
four states, but you have not received information on the November
elections, please call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-8683.

COURT REJECTS GUN BAN INITIATIVE

A Montgomery County (Maryland) Circuit Court judge struck from the ballot
for Tuesday's election a question promoting a gun ban in Takoma Park.
Judge Vincent E. Ferretti, Jr., ruled that Maryland law prevents
municipalities from enacting gun control laws except under narrow
exceptions -- based on the same type of pre-emption statute NRA has
successfully worked to pass in Maryland and 41 other states. The ballot
effort was promoted by the anti-gun organization Citizens Against Hand
Guns and supported by the Takoma Park City Council and Maryland Attorney
General J. Joseph Curran (D). The plaintiffs in the lawsuit were common
citizens demonstrating uncommon courage and resolve. The gun-ban
proponents claim that they will continue with their efforts, and we will
be sure to alert our members to any further developments.

2000 PRESIDENTIAL RACE LOSES ANOTHER CANDIDATE

U.S. Senator Bob Smith (N.H.-Ind.), a pro-gun stalwart, has chosen to
withdraw from the race for U.S. President in 2000. Senator Smith resigned
from the Republican party earlier this year, citing, among other things,
disagreements with the actions of some Republicans in supporting gun
control. NRA will continue to report any developments in the 2000
elections.

A LOOK AT THE STATES

LOUISIANA

NRA-PVF-endorsed candidates won three key primary elections in Louisiana
on October 23! With the support of gun owners and sportsmen, pro-Second
Amendment Governor Mike Foster (R) coasted toward re-election with 62% of
the vote. Also, New Orleans-area lawmakers Sen. John Hainkel (R-SD 06) and
Rep. Steve Scalise (R-HD 82) handily defeated opponents whose campaigns
were being financed by trial lawyers involved in the city's lawsuit
against gun companies. Hainkel and Scalise had been targeted for
sponsoring recently-enacted state laws aimed at halting the New Orleans
lawsuit against the firearms industry.